Sacramento, Outskirts intro.California's state capital mushroomed during the mid-1800s when gold was discovered nearby, and many remnants of this heyday in the form of disused mines, historic downtowns and grand Victorian homes can still be seen in Sacramento's outskirts. Gold Country, to the city centre's northeast, takes in a number of historic communities nestled at the base of the Sierra Nevada. West Sacramento offers a nice selection of Sacramento hotels for those who prefer to stay out of the centre while Davis, even further west, makes for a good base for those who enjoy cycling, farmers markets and botanical gardens. With the Napa Valley's wine country to the west, Sacramento and its outer communities make for great places to sink a bottle of Californian wine with some of the fine gastronomy that the state is known for. In fact, it isn't impossible for visitors to spend a morning surfing and an afternoon skiing, such is the geographical position of Sacramento.